Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to external noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a back six in the closing minutes as his side held on for a win - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once notably remarked that even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with different formations has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to build an style. Today is a different time. We lack a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will develop into a better squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to use three defenders all the time."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
